Best Schools in Clay County, SD
Clay County, SD has 22 public schools (6 high, 6 middle, 10 elementary) serving 4,069 students. On average they score 49% on state proficiency tests against a projected 42%, so schools in Clay County exceed expectations. Rankings below compare each school’s actual results with the projection for its socioeconomic context.
Best High Schools in Clay County, SD
The top high schools in Clay County, ranked by actual test performance against the projection for each school’s socioeconomic context.
1. Centerville High School - 01
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Centerville School District 60-1 • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 88 Students
2. Irene - Wakonda High School - 01
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Irene - Wakonda School District 13-3 • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 82 Students
3. Vermillion High School - 01
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Vermillion School District 13-1 • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 430 Students
4. Gayville-volin High School - 01
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Gayville-volin School District 63-1 • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 82 Students
5. Beresford High School - 01
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Beresford School District 61-2 • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 227 Students
6. Viborg-hurley High School - 01
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Viborg-hurley School District 60-6 • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 119 Students
Best Middle Schools in Clay County, SD
The top middle schools in Clay County, ranked by actual test performance against the projection for each school’s socioeconomic context.
1. Irene - Wakonda Jr. High - 04
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Irene - Wakonda School District 13-3 • Public • Grades 7 - 8 • 49 Students
2. Vermillion Middle School - 02
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Vermillion School District 13-1 • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 321 Students
3. Centerville Middle School - 03
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Centerville School District 60-1 • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 74 Students
4. Viborg-hurley Middle School - 03
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Viborg-hurley School District 60-6 • Public • Grades 5 - 8 • 125 Students
5. Beresford Middle School - 03
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Beresford School District 61-2 • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 174 Students
6. Gayville-volin Middle School - 03
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Gayville-volin School District 63-1 • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 63 Students
Best Elementary Schools in Clay County, SD
The top elementary schools in Clay County, ranked by actual test performance against the projection for each school’s socioeconomic context.
1. Viborg-hurley Elementary - 02
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Viborg-hurley School District 60-6 • Public • Grades Pre K - 4 • 161 Students
2. Centerville Elementary - 02
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Centerville School District 60-1 • Public • Grades Pre K - 5 • 128 Students
3. Beresford Elementary - 02
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Beresford School District 61-2 • Public • Grades KG - 5 • 307 Students
4. Alcester-hudson Elementary - 04
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Alcester-hudson School District 61-1 • Public • Grades KG - 6 • 195 Students
5. Elk Point-jefferson Elementary - 02
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Elk Point-jefferson School District 61-7 • Public • Grades KG - 5 • 321 Students
6. Gayville-volin Elementary - 02
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Gayville-volin School District 63-1 • Public • Grades Pre K - 5 • 144 Students
7. Irene - Wakonda Elementary - 02
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Irene - Wakonda School District 13-3 • Public • Grades Pre K - 6 • 162 Students
8. St Agnes Elementary School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
St Agnes Elementary School • Private • Grades Pre K - 5 • 132 Students
9. Austin Elementary - 03
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Vermillion School District 13-1 • Public • Grades Pre K - 1 • 278 Students
10. Jolley Elementary - 04
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Vermillion School District 13-1 • Public • Grades 2 - 5 • 407 Students
Education & Community Snapshot in Clay County, SD
County-level factors that shape the learning environment around local schools.
Community Factors
Clay County, SD has a total population of 14,967 with 47% of that population attending schools. The adult high school graduation rate is 92%, and 43% of adults have a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Students in Clay County, SD
K-12 Students
High School Graduates
Adults 25+ with HS diplomas
College Graduates
Adults 25+ with a Bachelor’s degree or higher
Demographics statistics provided by Best Neighborhood Clay County, SD.
Safety
Crime Grades summarize reported incidents per 1,000 residents. Use them as neighborhood context, not a school rating.
Overall Crime Grade
29.83 per 1,000 Residents
Violent Crime Grade
4.76 per 1,000 Residents
Property Crime Grade
25.07 per 1,000 Residents
Crime statistics provided by CrimeGrade in Clay County, SD.
Connectivity
Connectivity influences learning at home. We summarize internet infrastructure, typical download speed, and a digital connectivity index for Clay County, SD.
ISP Report Card
Internet Infrastructure Grade
Average Download Speed
Speed Most Residents Can Get
Digital Connectivity Index
ISP Connectivity Demand Report
To read more about these statistics, please visit Clay County, SD Internet Health Assessment.
Questions About Schools in Clay County, SD
How many schools are in Clay County, SD?
Clay County, SD has 22 public schools: 6 high schools, 6 middle schools and 10 elementary schools, serving 4,069 students in total.
How do schools in Clay County perform on state tests?
On average, 22 schools in Clay County score 49% proficient on state assessments. Given the socioeconomic context of their students we project 42%, so on average schools in Clay County exceed expectations.
How does SchoolGrade rank the best schools in Clay County?
Every public school gets a SchoolGrade from A+ to F based on the share of students at or above the state proficiency bar. The Impact Grade compares that result with what we would expect given the school’s student and community context, so schools that outperform their circumstances stand out. Schools cannot pay to change a grade. Read the full methodology.
Best Schools in Cities Near Clay County, SD
Explore nearby cities to widen your school search.
- Actual: 51%
- Projected: 48%
- Impact Grade: Meets Expectations
- Actual: 67%
- Projected: 58%
- Impact Grade: Doesn't Meet Expectations
- Actual: 46%
- Projected: 42%
- Impact Grade: Meets Expectations
- Actual: 66%
- Projected: 55%
- Impact Grade: Meets Expectations
- Actual: 51%
- Projected: 42%
- Impact Grade: Greatly Exceeds Expectations
- Actual: 62%
- Projected: 44%
- Impact Grade: Greatly Exceeds Expectations
- Actual: 76%
- Projected: 56%
- Impact Grade: Greatly Exceeds Expectations
- Actual: 71%
- Projected: 51%
- Impact Grade: Exceeds Expectations
- Actual: 80%
- Projected: 55%
- Impact Grade: Greatly Exceeds Expectations
- Actual: 63%
- Projected: 47%
- Impact Grade: Greatly Exceeds Expectations
Cities, towns and school districts in Clay County
School districts (1)
- Vermillion School District 13-1 (4 schools)